Get Out!: Scene's Events Blog

3/13: Burning River Roller Girls at Wolstein Center

When roller derby — which was popular in the ’50s and ’60s — was revived in Austin in the early 2000s as a campy offshoot of the city’s indie-rock scene, no one could have predicted it would sweep the country like a virus. The fever hit Cleveland too, with the formation of the Burning River Roller Girls — actually four teams, plus a travel team made up of the league’s best players, that compete against each other at “bouts.” The indie-rock attitude still influences the colorful costumes, play-on-words names (“Dorothy Slamill,” “Mosh Spice,” “B. Onya Guard”) and music-connected promotions. The sport’s popularity is growing locally, so much so that the BRRG have a new home this season: the Wolstein Center (2000 Prospect Ave., 216.687.9292), where they open their 2010 season at 6 p.m. today. The bill includes two match-ups. First, the Rolling Pin-Ups square off against the Hard Knockers. After halftime (with entertainment by break dancers 216 BeatRiders), the Cleveland Steamers face the Hellbombers. Tickets are $12 advance, $17 at the door; kids are $8. Season tickets are also available. — Anastasia Pantsios